Cincinnati hires former Memphis coach Katrina Merriweather

Cincinnati hired former Memphis coach Katrina Merriweather as its new women's basketball coach Saturday.
Merriweather, who starred for the Bearcats from 1997-01, helped the team reach four consecutive postseason tournaments in her time at the school.
Merriweather resigned as Memphis' coach on Friday, a day after the team was knocked out of the WNIT tournament. After the game, one of her players punched a Bowling Green player in the handshake line and was charged with assault, according to the Falcons' athletic department.
"I'm elated to come back to the University of Cincinnati as the head coach of the women's basketball program," she said. "My time as a student-athlete and as a Bearcat were some of the greatest years of my life, and I'm excited to give back with everything I have to our current players like so many did for me. This is home for me, and I'm honored to wear the C-Paw once again."
Merriweather took over a four-win Memphis team and immediately produced 16 wins in the 2021-22 season before a 22-victory season in which the Tigers clinched the two seed in the American Athletic Conference championship. In her two seasons, the Tigers went 28-23.
Cincinnati director of athletics John Cunningham said Merriweather's "track record of success at both Wright State and Memphis speaks for itself. She's been an outstanding recruiter, program builder and developer of talent."
Cincinnati moves from the AAC to the Big 12 on July 1.
"As an alumna of Cincinnati and one of the winningest players in school history, she knows the potential this program has and understands what it will take for us to compete at the top of the Big 12. She's the perfect fit and I'm thrilled to welcome her back to the program."
Prior to coaching at Memphis, Merriweather spent five seasons as the head coach at Wright State. There, she took the Raiders to two NCAA Tournaments, got them their first NCAA win in 2021 over four-seed Arkansas and was named Horizon League Coach of the Year three times.
Cincinnati will hold a formal news conference to introduce Merriweather on Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Danielle Smith's UCP holds onto power in Alberta
Danielle Smith is still the premier of Alberta, surviving a vigorous campaign and a tight vote Monday against NDP challenger Rachel Notley.

Singh calls for foreign interference rapporteur Johnston to step aside
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is pushing for special rapporteur David Johnston to 'step aside' from his role examining the issue of foreign interference before he embarks on public hearings.
New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China
New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan said Monday that Canada's spy agency has confirmed her long-held belief she is being targeted by the Chinese government, as the prime minister granted the NDP's wish to allow more party members to review top-secret intelligence.
Golden Knights reach 2nd Stanley Cup Final after Game 6 win over Stars
William Karlsson, William Carrier and Jonathan Marchessault are finally getting another chance in the Stanley Cup Final, after the first one that came so quick for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Caleb Martin helps Heat to 103-84 Game 7 win over Celtics and spot in NBA Finals
Eastern Conference finals Most Valuable Player Jimmy Butler scored 28 points, and Caleb Martin had 26 points and 10 rebounds to help the eighth-seeded Miami Heat beat the Celtics 103-84 in Game 7 on Monday night and advance to the NBA Finals for the second time in four seasons.
Canadian parliamentarians condemn Uganda's recently passed anti-homosexuality law
Canadian political leaders and parliamentarians are denouncing a new law passed in Uganda that imposes harsh penalties, including the death penalty, for certain cases involving homosexuality.
Free prescription drugs could reduce overall health-care costs in Canada: study
Overall health-care costs could be reduced in Canada by providing free prescription drugs to patients, according to a new study.
Northern B.C., Alberta and all of Ontario under 'high' to 'extreme' wildfire risk: What to know
There's a heightened risk of wildfires across the country during what has been one of the earliest fire seasons on record. From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, here's where the risk is highest.
Strategic city planning can mitigate 'urban heat island' effect, make cities cooler in summer: study
New research from Penn State University found certain factors can contribute to reducing what’s known as the 'urban heat island' effect, and that climate knowledge can contribute to better city planning and design.